This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/27/uk-road-deaths

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
UK road deaths at record low UK road deaths at record low but cyclist casualties rise
(about 1 hour later)
The number of people killed on Britain's roads fell to a record low last year and the number of road accidents which caused injuries is at its lowest level since 1927, according to official figures. Road casualty figures dropped last year to the lowest overall level since records were first collected almost 90 years ago, according to government statistics, but deaths and injuries among cyclists bucked the trend by rising sharply.
There were 1,754 deaths in road accidents reported to the police in 2012, a 8% dip on the 2011 figure, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. This was the lowest figure since national records began. Cycling groups are demanding urgent government action to stem cyclist casualty numbers, which are going up more quickly than the increase in riders on the road. Cyclist deaths rose 10% during 2012, with serious injuries up by 4%, the latter increasing for an eighth consecutive year.
The number of people seriously injured fell 0.4% to 23,039 in 2012, while the number of children killed or seriously injured fell 6% to 2,272. The overall number of casualties (deaths, serious injuries and slight injuries) in road accidents last year was 195,723, down 4% on the 2011 figure. It is the only area where road casualties are rising, aside from a small increase in the number of seriously injured pedestrians, another vulnerable group.
The number of accidents causing injuries reached 145,571, 4% fewer than in 2011, and the lowest figure reported in a single year since 1926 and 1927, the first two years national records were kept. The Department for Transport (DfT) statistics show that the total number of road deaths fell 8% year-on-year to 1,754, the lowest since such figures were first collected in 1926. Serious injuries fell by 0.4%, and remain 15% lower than the 2005-9 average.
The Department for Transport, which released the figures on the ONS website, pointed out that 2012 was the second wettest year on record and it was likely that the rainfall had reduced the number of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists on the roads. At 145,571, the number of recorded road accidents in which someone was injured was lower than in any years other than 1926 and 1927, despite the vastly greater number of vehicles in use now.
The number of car-occupant deaths in 2012 fell 9% to 801, while the number of seriously injured car occupants was down 1%. Total reported casualties among car users were 119,708, 4% fewer than in 2011. Car and taxi traffic decreased slightly by 0.2% between 2011 and 2012. This was reflected in reduced casualty numbers for just about every road user. Among motorcyclists there was a 9% drop in deaths and 5% decline in serious injuries.
There were 420 pedestrian deaths in 2012, 7% fewer than in 2011 – but the number of seriously injured pedestrians increased 2% to 5,559. There was a total of 25,218 reported pedestrian casualties in 2012, a fall of 4%. In contrast, the number of cyclists killed on the roads rose from 107 in 2011 to 118 last year, with serious injuries rising to 3,222. The DfT report notes: "There is a well-established upward trend in pedal cyclist casualties; this is eighth year that the number of seriously injured cyclist casualties has increased."
There was less good news for cyclists, however, with the number killed rising 10% last year to 118. In addition, the number of cyclists seriously injured rose 4% to 3,222 – the eighth successive year the figure has increased. The number of people commuting to work by bike has increased by 17% to more than 760,000 in the past decade, census data shows. While the number of cyclists on the roads has increased in recent years, particularly in some cities, campaign groups argue that it has not increased as rapidly as the number of deaths and injuries.
According to Department for Transport figures, however, the prevalence of cycling in England during the year ending mid-October 2012 has not changed significantly compared with the previous year. The DfT report also notes that 2012's unusually wet spring and summer – the April to June period was the second rainiest on record – is likely to have pushed down casualty figures for cyclists, as well as for pedestrians and motorcyclists, as people chose other transport options in the wet.
A total of 61 children aged 15 or under were killed in road accidents last year compared with 60 in 2011. The number of children seriously injured last year fell 6% to 2,211, while total child casualties were down 11% to their lowest total since detailed records started in 1979. British Cycling said the statistics were very disturbing. Its policy director, Martin Gibbs, said: "Although the number of people cycling is increasing, the number of casualties is increasing at an even faster rate. If the government is serious about getting Britain cycling we need to ensure that cycling is built in to all new road developments and junctions."
Motorcyclist deaths were down 9% to 328 last year, with serious injuries falling 5% to 5,000 and total casualties in this sector falling 4% to 19,310. Jason Torrance, policy director of Sustrans, said: "The 118 people who died riding a bike on our roads this year have died needlessly and must surely spur the government into immediate action to make our roads safer.
The greatest number of accidents last year were on built-up roads with speed limits of 30mph or less. "It is unacceptable that seriously injured cyclist casualties have increased eight years running. The safety of cyclists must be included at the heart of the design of our roads as a requirement of all future schemes and a review of the safety of cyclists using existing roads must take place."
Julie Townsend, the deputy chief executive of Brake, the road safety charity, said: "Road crashes are violent, sudden events that tear apart families and whole communities. They are also a huge economic burden, and preventable through investment in education, engineering and enforcement. The increase in cycling casualties has baffled many campaigners, particularly given the generally observed "safety in numbers" effect in which more cyclists on the roads tends to make riding safer overall. Studies have shown that risky or illegal behaviour by cyclists is rarely the cause of serious accidents.
"While progress towards fewer deaths and injuries is hugely welcome, it is important to acknowledge every person behind these statistics. For every one of the 1,754 people killed violently and needlessly in 2012, many more are left behind to grieve their loss, often suffering very serious trauma. So we must aim for zero, because no death or serious injury is acceptable." In April an all-party group of MPs released a report on how to boost the number of Britons cycling, spelling out a series of specific recommendations on segregated lanes and other safety infrastructure. However, since then the government has not said whether it supports such moves.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.